This is me shouting from the rooftops here… happy dancing around the room… running up to each of you and telling you that you just have to buy this book!!!!! It’s usually over $10.00 so this is a STEAL!!
This is, without a doubt, the most well-written, most intense, most incredibly beautiful, and heart wrenching yet heart warming EPIC love story ever told. I truly mean that. It. is. breathtaking!!!
The depth of Alexander and Tatiana’s love for each other is unforgettable.
On the scale of 1 – 5 stars that I rate all books on, this easily gets 10 stars!
Out of all the books I’ve ever read, not one has ever affected me as deeply as THE BRONZE HORSEMAN. I clearly remember my first time reading the trilogy, I read all 3 books back to back and I can honestly say that I’ve never gone though as deeply EMOTIONAL a reading experience as this one. To say this love story stole my heart is an understatement. It OWNED me. I can’t even count the number of times I cried not because it was sad, but just because I was FEELING so much for these characters. The writing was SO exquisite and Alexander & Tania’s longing and love for each other was SO powerful that I truly FELT every single thing that they went through. The books were long but I could barely put them down. My life was pretty much put on hold while I read them. I was emotionally exhausted and yet every moment I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about the books. This story consumed me. And it left a lasting impression on my heart and soul that I know will never be topped. I don’t even try to compare other books to this trilogy even though I love a great many books and have many top favorites. This story is just different for me. Special in a way I’ve never felt before. It’s left a mark on me I know I’ll never forget. Everytime I go back and re-read quotes now, I’m literally crying (tears pouring down my face) within moments. Every single one of the intense, overpowering emotions I felt while I was reading it comes flooding back instantly. The depth and all-consuming, heart-wrenching INTENSITY of the way Alexander LOVED Tania, and the way she LOVED him back is just beyond powerful. Beyond beautiful. This is, in the most literal sense of the saying, the MOST EPIC LOVE STORY EVER told. If you’ve read it, you probably know exactly what I mean. And if you haven’t read it yet, please please please trust me and grab yourself a copy. It’s currently on sale for $1.99 (usually over $11) but it’s worth every single cent and more at full price. For me, this love story was the definition of “unforgettable”.
A few things….
This is a completed trilogy that tells the lifelong romance of one couple. It’s HEA.
- #1 THE BRONZE HORSEMAN (My review) — on sale!!
- #2 TATIANA AND ALEXANDER (My review)
- #3 THE SUMMER GARDEN (My review)
Note: Goodreads has them listed incorrectly. It lists a prequel called “Children of Liberty” but that book should not be read first. It was written after the trilogy and is the story of Alexander’s parents (PS: it’s not HEA) and there is no info in it that you need to know before reading this trilogy.
To try and soothe your worries…. Yes, The Bronze Horseman is an intense, heart-wrenching story but I’d like to clarify that it is not devastating. Read it with a stockpile of tissues for sure but I promise that the trilogy has a gorgeous ending that will leave you a wonderful feeling!
A lot of readers ask me how “historical” these books are. The answer is: they’re really not!! I mean yes, the story takes place during WW2 but it does not “feel” like a historical book. The characters speak in modern language and there’s no lengthly detail on historical events. This is primarily a love story — the focus is on the characters, not the events… so the only events that are shown are the ones that directly affect Alexander & Tania’s lives.
I mentioned epic already, right??
A lot of readers ask me how steamy the books are. They are Adult level romance steam for sure — but the story has to build to the heat. But like half way through the first book there’s a 75ish page section that is WOW (hehe, I don’t want to give away specifics though but just trust me, you’ll get ALL the steam) and they’re married for most of the series so there’s definitely the kind of heat that would be expected of a married couple who are deeply in love with each other.
Next commonly asked question is whether there’s a HEA. It’s Romance so YES. This is a happy ending story. The first 2 books have to be read together (first book has an ending that isn’t exactly a cliffhanger but you’ll NEED the next book right away). Second book has a very resolved and happy ending — in a way it concludes the first book’s story and ends that chapter of their lives. Third book ends with them in their 80s literally having spent their whole lives together. So they have a HEA. But unlike most books, you kind of SEE their HEA happen because the series follows their whole lives together.
What are other readers saying?? ➜ “OMG! OMG! OMG!!! Oh and OMG!!!! I do NOT think I will EVER be the same after that read. Immediately went into book 2… much to my husbands displeasure. I think it was the tears. HA! His words… “You take your reads TOO seriously.” And I’m like, “How can I NOT, by now, these two are my friends and I have bled with them!!!” Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for recommending this read. Honestly will not be the same after this story. Every person with half a brain and the ability to read should be required to read this book. It’s a life changer.”
Lastly, this book pretty much never goes on sale so don’t forget to grab your copy!!!
*** MOVIE NEWS *** THE BRONZE HORSEMAN MOVIE was announced on October 5, 2015. Author Paullina Simons posted this: “I’m thrilled to announce an exciting new collaboration with Getaway Pictures to bring all three of The Bronze Horseman novels to screen. Getaway Pictures is a multi-national production based in Berlin specializing in well-made films with international flavor. I’ll be working closely with the producers to help make the eventual films or series the best they can be.”
Anna says
OMGOMGOMG this is my favorite book too!!!!! I love Alexander xx
Aestas Cross says
He’s my #1 book boyfriend!!! *dreamy sigh*
Gillian says
thank you so much! I’ve been waiting for this to go on sale for ever! 😀
Aestas Cross says
You’re welcome!!! I’m so freaking excited that more people will start reading this now :)))
Denise says
One-clicked! I cant wait to start this!
Aestas Cross says
Woohoo!!! Enjoy!! <3
Amanda says
Thanks for much for the historical explanation. I think this is going to be my big summer read. Thank you!
Aestas Cross says
You’re welcome! It’s one of the things I’m asked about the most so I just wanted to reassure people about it 🙂
Louise says
Do you know if it is going to be on sale in the UK? I’ve been wanting to read these books for ages but they’re just too expensive :'(
Aestas says
Sorry, I’m not sure if it’s going to transfer over or not. It’s up to the publishers really.
Dawn says
OMG! I just finished the first book at 2:30 this morning!!! I HAD to stay up to finish…I also HAD to jump right into book 2!!! Didn’t realize one was a sort of cliffhanger!!!!! I am in love with this series…the love story in this book is so heart-warmingly, gut-wrenchingly beautiful…I really need this to have an HEA!! Here goes book 2! ❤️
Aestas says
Ahhhh I promise there’s a gorgeous HEA at the end. It’s worth every tear <3
Shermaine Dowling says
I am a faithful follower of Aesta’s and I usually act on her strong recommendations, so I bought The Bronze Horseman, then, after that, of course, I had to buy Tatiana and Alexander, paying much more than I usually do, and way more for a trilogy than ever before, and am now just beginning The Summer Garden, and I’m totally blown away. First, I’ve learned more about WWII than I ever learned in school, and second, the love shared by these two is unlike anything I’ve ever read, even the books where one or both make a tremendous sacrifice for the other. Tania and Alexander sacrifice all and then beyond all time and again for the other. I’m suspecting, having just begun the 3rd of the trilogy, that the couple have more tribulation before they reach that wonderful place on the lake by their little Lagoda cabin. I have learned to not doubt at all what Aesta recommends and says in her reviews!!!
Aestas says
I’m so glad that you’re loving it this much!!!!!!
The third book is equally amazing! — ENJOY <3
Anne Marie Cruz says
HEyay!!!!!!!!!
Julie Marko says
I read them per your recommendation thru my local library and once I devoured all 3 books, I had to buy my own copies. Simply one of the best love stories ever written. Tatiana and Alexander’s story will stay with me forever.
Agnete says
Uhh, I just bought the book after reading your review – so excited! 😀